New York -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- New York City 's Board of Health voted Thursday to ban the sale of sugary drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces in restaurants and other venues , in a move meant to combat obesity and encourage residents to live healthier lifestyles .

The board voted eight in favor , with one abstention .

`` It 's time to face the facts : obesity is one of America 's most deadly problems , and sugary beverages are a leading cause of it , '' said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a statement earlier this month . `` As the size of sugary drinks has grown , so have our waistlines -- and so have diabetes and heart disease . ''

Bloomberg 's visionary move against obesity

But the move is expected to draw further protest from the soda industry and those concerned about government involvement in their personal choices .

`` What we need in New York are sensible solutions to the obesity issue that focus on a comprehensive approach to tackle an extremely complex problem , '' said Eliot Hoff , a spokesman for a beverage industry-sponsored group called New Yorkers for Beverage Choices . `` New Yorkers are smart enough to decide for themselves what to eat and drink . ''

Critics , including McDonald 's and Coca-Cola , have assailed the ban as `` misguided '' and `` arbitrary , '' though Bloomberg has billed it as both a health and fiscal initiative .

New York City spends an estimated $ 4 billion each year on medical care for overweight people , the mayor said in an earlier statement .

Big Gulp ? Meet Big Brother

One in eight New Yorkers also suffer from diabetes , a disease often linked to obesity , his office noted , calling sugary drinks `` the single largest driver of these alarming increases in obesity . ''

About 58 % of New York City adults are considered overweight or obese , the mayor added .

In 2007 , the Bloomberg-appointed health board adopted a regulation that forced restaurants to all but eliminate the use of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and spreads , the main sources of trans fats in the U.S. diet .

Thursday 's decision is expected to take effect in six months and be enforced by the city 's regular restaurant inspection team , allowing restaurant owners nine months to adapt to the changes before facing fines .

`` 6 months from today , our city will be an even healthier place , '' Bloomberg tweeted on Thursday .

The ban would not apply to grocery stores .

Forget large sodas , how about banning French fries ?

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The proposal is meant to combat obesity and encourage residents to live healthier lifestyles

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Critics have assailed the ban as `` misguided '' and `` arbitrary ''

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New York City spends $ 4 billion a year on medical care for overweight people , mayor says

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One in eight New Yorkers suffer from diabetes , often linked to obesity , mayor notes